Sandy Deluca, Painter and Authorhttps://sandydeluca.wordpress.com
News about Sandy DeLuca's books and art.Sat, 17 Mar 2018 11:34:04 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.pngSandy Deluca, Painter and Authorhttps://sandydeluca.wordpress.com
March 17th, 2018…Some thoughts regarding recent eventshttps://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/2018/03/17/march-17th-2018-some-thoughts-regarding-recent-events/
https://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/2018/03/17/march-17th-2018-some-thoughts-regarding-recent-events/#respondSat, 17 Mar 2018 11:32:26 +0000http://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/?p=544As most of us grow older, we become tougher, yet compassion, tolerance and understanding increase. Rather than hurting people, the older generation strives to build others up, so that the future might be brighter and less painful. Through the years, people experience loss, and have seen loved ones die… some have come close to death itself. And no doubt, when we are young, we break hearts and our hearts are broken. With time, all of those experiences tame us, replace youthful rage with warmth.

That is why I don’t understand why the hell a bunch of angry old men take pleasure in ruining the lives of promising young men and women. Have they not learned the lessons of life? Or does greed and power taint them? Does a life of privilege blind them? Do they remain ignorant and childish no matter how old they grow? Are they in league with the devil?

We all end—it all ends—and no amount of money or power can stop death. And I believe in the afterlife—in Karma—and I know that, if not in this lifetime—in the next—or in hell itself—those angry, petty, greedy old men will feel Karma’s wrath.

Note that Alban Lake will also be publishing a book of my art this coming year.

]]>https://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/2018/01/18/my-fiction-novellas-novelettes/feed/0sandydelucaDarkness conjured for sitereign of blood for siteDescent for siteInto the Red for sitelupo mannaro for siteJourney to Talazia for siteVisual Journal, sketches with pen and inkhttps://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/2018/01/16/in-2018/
https://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/2018/01/16/in-2018/#respondTue, 16 Jan 2018 17:14:31 +0000http://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/?p=394

Over the years, I filled journals, recording events, using words and images…penning ideas for possible fiction. With the new year, I began a new visual journal. I have put aside paint and canvas for a while and once more I am utilizing pen and ink. As you know, with my visual work, I am often influenced by horror movies and genre fiction.

As I said…much of my visual work is influenced by horror…just as other painters are influenced by life events, culture, etc. When I studied the German Expressionists in college, I began to see painting and painters differently, and I refer to many of those artists during my creative process. My childhood plays a role as well. My Dad was an avid fan of horror and he introduced me to Hitchcock, Vincent Price and others. Then there were the dolls. I am an only child, and those toys helped fuel my imagination during solitary play. So, I prefer to create from feelings and memories, which often results in dreamlike images–far from photo-realism.

As I get older, I prefer to spend my days painting and sketching…and refining novels in process. Eleven years ago, I battled cancer. Within those eleven years, I’ve produced novels, novellas, poetry and short stories. But I did not abandon my painting or drawing. And my body of visual work has grown a great deal. I am thankful for the time I’ve had, and for all the days that are ahead of me. I’ve learned that life is short. I’ve lost friends, family…even pets over the past decade. So, if life is short, then why not do what I love?

In reference to my fiction, I’ve rewritten my novel “Switchblade” several times and am now working on a final draft. Also, my novel “Midnight Town” has found a home.

Back to my new visual journal now.

Over the past week, I’ve completed about a dozen small journal sketches…and some larger pen and ink drawings. I’m sharing several 4 x 6 inch drawings here. Thanks for looking.

Mimi came into my life in August, six years ago, a few days after my father passed away.

I wanted a companion for my older cat, Matty. Not a kitten, but a young animal. A woman who handled adoptions for Providence Animal Shelter at Petsmart indicated that a quiet, sweet five-year-old female like Mimi would be perfect. So, I brought her home, and Matty immediately let her know who was boss, but eventually he gave in to her cuddling and sharing cans of his favorite food.

Matty passed away six months after Mimi came to live with me. Afterward, she became closer to me, my little buddy, leading the way as I made my way down staircases, greeting me at the door whenever I returned home, sleeping beside me at night.

Through the years, more cats joined my household, but Mimi was always a tiny soulmate, sitting beside me when I didn’t feel well, gently giving me kitty kisses, purring loud…loving with all her might. She was the boss, strutting around like a true queen.

She was a friendly girl, always joining in when I had parties, chasing the larger boy cats up the stairs, sleeping atop newspapers I placed on the floor when I painted, and sitting with me when I wrote. She gave me so much love and companionship.

Two weeks ago, she began to have trouble eating, struggling to munch on the dry food that she loved, and barely eating the breakfast of canned food that I offered her. I suspected that she had a sore tooth and made an appointment with her veterinarian. The doctor found a growth in her mouth, warning me that it could be cancerous. She suggested a biopsy, and I asked if it could be done the following day. She complied and we went ahead with the procedure. They also found a loose tooth beside the mass and I told myself that the so-called tumor surely was a result of Mimi’s dental issue.

She was sore for a few days after her hospital visit and she dined on soft food and lots of gravy. However, on the third day—Friday–it became increasingly more difficult for her to eat. I booked another appointment with the veterinarian. Mimi was given Subcutaneous fluids and Mirtazapine, which stimulated her appetite. Once back home, I opened several cans of food, poured gravy over everything, waiting for her to decide which dish was her favorite, and then patiently helped her to eat. When she got tired and retreated under a bed, I crawled under the bed and offered her more, and slowly—most likely painfully—she ate. And I assured myself once more that the mass was merely a result of her dental problems—that had to be it. Everything would be fine.

My youngest cat, Reese, began to watch over the feedings, looking on with apparent concern in her eyes. Mimi was her mentor, teaching her to chase the boys, possessing the same tortoise shell fur. And the young cat kept watch. Then she escorted me down the staircase once Mimi had been cared for.

On Monday, we repeated the feeding ritual. Mimi would lick up what she could, grow tired of it, and I’d follow her, offering her more food, and she’d accept slowly…obviously in discomfort. And Reese looked on, never interfering, always ready to walk beside me once I’d finished.

Tuesday was the same, and Mimi seemed better…but still not herself. The phone call came that afternoon. Mimi’s doctor told me that my beloved cat had squamous cell carcinoma and that it was not operable. I asked, “How long?” And she told me, “A month…maybe two.” Then, she went on to explain the stages of Mimi’s illness. She eventually wouldn’t be able to eat at all, her tongue would hang out, she’d grow weaker and weaker.

I researched the disease, hoping to find a way to cure her, to prove the prognosis wrong. But, it was always the same. Operating inside a feline’s mouth was sometimes done—not often though—and radiation and chemotherapy only helped extend life a few more months.

I would have gladly gone into debt if I could have found a way to cure her, but there was no way she would survive. And if her life was prolonged with surgery and treatment, it would be for a short and painful time.

On Wednesday, I continued tempting her with food, and it grew more and difficult for her throughout the day. Someone suggested giving her soft treats, that they had worked for a cat with a similar condition. I cut those treats into tiny pieces. Mimi wanted them so badly, but couldn’t grasp them with her mouth. That broke my heart.

She began to hide beneath a bureau in a vacant upstairs bedroom, peeking her head out to lap up what food she could. I saw her pain, and I contemplated calling her doctor, to ask to have Mimi euthanized, but I waited.

The following morning, I awakened at 2 in the morning, found her sitting in the living room, alone—not nuzzled in her normal place on my bed. She looked up at me with knowing eyes—clear and not glazed over with the hell of her disease. It was as though she’d escaped to another place, visiting the beauty and freedom there. And she was telling me, “I’m tired now. And I want to be in this beautiful place.” At that moment, I knew what was right for her—but later I dismissed it as nighttime sleepiness.

Later, when the sun rose, she ate very little and hid under that bureau. I thought about the weeks ahead of her. Days and hours that I would have with her…as she struggled to eat—while she struggled with pain.

I had a chat with her doctor and she told me that the decision was mine, that some people wait just to have more time with their pets. She also said that if she were me, she’d probably be at the same point regarding a terminally ill animal. So, we went ahead and helped Mimi go to the Rainbow Bridge.

She died peacefully—and I wept.

Later, I sat on my living room couch, tears streaming down my face, and Reese jumped into my lap, allowing those tears to fall onto her back, dapple her fur, never complaining. And for the first time that night, she snuggled beside me while I slept.

Despite the love and companionship of my other felines, I’ve been crying since Mimi left me, sometimes asking myself if I did the right thing—if I stole part of her life. But she was dying, slowly and painfully, and it would have been inhumane to keep her here. I think it was the right thing to do—I hope.

She loved to run and play when she was well, scampering from one end of the house to the other. And I can see her now, running through grassy fields, glorious, healthy and beautiful. I miss her, but know she’s no longer in pain…she’s in a better place.

]]>https://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/2017/08/26/mimi/feed/2sandydelucaMimimimi7Releases from Crossroad Presshttps://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/2017/07/11/july-2017/
https://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/2017/07/11/july-2017/#commentsTue, 11 Jul 2017 14:24:31 +0000http://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/?p=351Some exciting happenings are occurred in the summer of 2017. I signed a contract with Crosssroad Press. They are currently working on publishing some of my out-of-print books. I will add each book, with links to Amazon as they are published.

In the meantime, I am busy working on a novel called SWITCHBLADE. I began it a couple of years ago and it was originally around 80,000 words. It’s now around 60,000 words–leaner and tighter. And it’s a different kind of zombie novel.

Later this year, I will have news regarding my novel MIDNIGHT TOWN.

I am also working on new art.

I’ve been working from early morning until late evening, and I’m hoping that the hard work will pay off.

July 11, 2017

]]>https://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/2017/07/11/july-2017/feed/1sandydelucaManhattan Grimoire for sitefrom ashes for siteSIN for siteUpdated bibliography, spring, 2017https://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/2017/04/23/through-the-years/
https://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/2017/04/23/through-the-years/#respondSun, 23 Apr 2017 17:35:56 +0000http://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/?p=299*I recently began to document some of my creative accomplishments. Over the past week, I’ve listed some of my art on Ebay for auction and I wanted collectors to get a sense of the years I’ve spent painting, thinking that perhaps they’d decide that my work has some value. So, I put together a bibliography which includes both my visual and written art. I didn’t attempt to list every poem, short story, illustration, or piece of cover art which I’ve had published over the years, nor the nonfiction articles and photography. That task would be daunting.

No doubt, I’ve been quiet about some of my accomplishments, never one to be flashy, or boldly proclaim my work as an artist. However, I’ve been around a while, and I guess that I’ve done a lot. And here it is…but not all of it.

About the artist:

Sandy DeLuca ia an American writer and visual artist, born in Providence, Rhode Island. Her paintings are lyrical, colorful and spiritual; moving from the abstract to Pop Surrealism.

She penned several chants published in Silver Ravenwolf’s book TO STIR A MAGYCK CAULDRON (pen name Autumn Raindancer).

As an author, she is known for dark and surreal prose; often visceral and shocking. She is best known for her work in the horror genre. However, she has written Noir fiction, fantasy and mainstream fiction as well.

She edited and owned a small press magazine entitled GODDESS OF THE BAY from 1998 through 2001, also producing anthologies and collections. In 2003, she operated another publishing company, DECEMBER GIRL, an imprint of DELIRIUM BOOKS. Once again in 2015 she founded MIDNIGHT TOWN MEDIA, focusing on publishing her out of print fiction and compiling books which reference her extensive career in the visual arts.

Although she created visual journals, containing offbeat drawings, since childhood, she began painting in 1985, and had her first solo art show in 1986 at the Community College of Rhode Island, while still a student. Each painting was accompanied by prose written on a card; pieces of the story she told with her paintings. Since then, her paintings have been exhibited widely. In addition, her artwork has been featured as cover art and interior art for various publications, most notably the poetry chapbook, VAMPIRES, ZOMBIES AND WANTON SOULS, with poetry by Marge Simon; with Simon receiving the Bram Stoker award for poetry in 2013. Her own poetry book, BURIAL PLOT IN SAGITTARIUS, also contains her cover art and interior art, and it was nominated for the Bram Stoker for Poetry award in 2000. A copy of this book is maintained at the Brown University library. The poetry collaboration, DANGEROUS DREAMS, with Marge Simon, was nominated for the Bram Stoker award for 2013.

* Note: Some of these books are out of print, but you can find most of them at Amazon.

EDITORIAL/PUBLISHING PROJECTS:

Goddess of the Bay Publications, where she produced and edited a monthly zine of poetry, art and short stories. In addition, specialty projects such as A Midsummer’s Night Terror, Something Wicked (experimental fiction collections) were produced under this banner.

December Girl Press (an imprint of Delirium Books): She produced and edited a collection of ‘Noir fiction called Crime Spree and a rare collectible novel Saying Uncle, by Greg F. Gifune. (1999 through 2003)

The Genre 1995-ongoing. Paintings inspired by genre writings and imagined images related to my own writings.

Abstract Experiments in the City 2002-2006

New York inspired art 2007-2008

Digital Experiments 2016–ongoing project.

AWARDS AND HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Burial Plot in Sagittarius was a finalist for the Bram Stoker award. A copy of the book is maintained in the Brown University Library. Her Poem Sarah (a piece from Burial Plot in Sagittarius) was nominated for the Rhysling award. Her poem Girls of the Seventies from a group called Wicked Verse received an honorable mention in Years Best Fantasy and Horror, 2004.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:

Community College of Rhode Island, Solo show at Warwick and Lincoln campuses; 1986. Two paintings were on loan for exhibit in President’s reception area Community College of RI, 1987. Various group shows Warwick Community College Campus, 1984-1997; while earning my AFA in the 1980’s, and then later studying art seminars in the 1990’s.

Border Books, Cranston and Providence, Rhode Island (2003).

Winky Dink Ink Gallery and Tattoo Parlor, (New York) 2010.

Various shows, New Hope Gallery (Cranston, RI) 2011-2015.

Various shows, Hughes/Donahue Gallery (Taunton, MA), 2011-2013.

Anything Goes Gallery (Warwick, RI), October 2011-2012.

Right Studios, Woonsocket, RI, December 7th, 2011.

Jerry’s Artarama (Providence, RI), 2012.

Gallery Q Summer, Juried, (Providence, RI) June 1, 2012.

Ugly Dog Gallery (Attleboro, MA), August 2012.

Bank RI, Providence, RI, solo exhibit, December/January 2012-2013.

University of Rhode Island, Feinstein Campus, Group show, November 2014.

*There are more, including mail art exhibits in France, Italy, Malaysia, Spain and other countries. My art resides in European collections, American, Japanese and Australian. I’ve exhibited in hair salons, tattoo parlors and bookstores. There’s much more, but I’m a horrid record keeper and it doesn’t matter as long as it’s out there…somewhere…in this world…as long as I’m still creating..

*I no longer exhibit, but for select shows. My paintings are available for sale, and queries are always welcome. In addition, prints of both my digital work and paintings are available at venues like Redbubble, Deviant Art and Society6. Of course, I also sell my art on Ebay. I enjoy working in the publishing world and love to pair my visual art with my writing. I also enjoy making cover art for genre magazines and books, and doing illustrations, and that remains an ongoing project.

My father served in World War II and I’ve always been fascinated with photographs of his time in Egypt and India, the Sphinx and the Taj Mahal looming in the background, as he and his friends posed–British and American soldiers banding together to protect national treasure. I’m not sure if he went to Europe before or after those snapshots were taken, but he did tell me that when he first saw the Sistine Chapel, he was overwhelmed, realizing genius, quickly becoming a fan of the Italian Renaissance.

In his later years, he chuckled at people when they were openly shocked about a nude scene in a modern movie. He said, “Go overseas…nude statues are everywhere, right out in the open. It’s art!”

So, he didn’t flinch when I enrolled in a Life Drawing class in college, and we both smiled at my mother when she asked if the models really removed all of their clothes. “They can’t do that,” she proclaimed.

They did! All posing for a group of students–shameless, and lovely–most imperfect. Some were old, some young–some thin–some overweight–and I learned that the human form is beautiful at every stage of life–in all of its forms.

My new painting–a partial nude piece–is titled “The Succubus”. It’s inspired by a recent story I penned called “Hotel Namaah”–an erotic tale about encounters with a succubus. (Now available at DarkFuse magazine.)

And to quote my Dad…”It’s art.”

]]>https://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/2017/03/25/its-art/feed/0sandydelucaThe Succubus--for blogFairies and Other Mystical Womenhttps://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/2015/08/29/fairies-and-other-mystical-women/
https://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/2015/08/29/fairies-and-other-mystical-women/#respondSat, 29 Aug 2015 19:02:08 +0000http://sandydeluca.wordpress.com/?p=167Acrylic on CanvasAcrylic on CanvasPen and Ink on PaperWatercolor and Pen on PaperAcrylic on CanvasThree Panels–Acrylic on Canvas Board
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